Asbestos is a highly hazardous material that can have serious health consequences if inhaled. It has been linked to respiratory diseases, asbestosis, and even lung cancer. Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, which makes it difficult to identify the presence of the material without proper testing.

Asbestos was widely used in the construction of buildings in the UK until the 1980s, and many properties built before then may still contain asbestos. It is important to test any materials suspected of containing asbestos, especially if they are disturbed or are being renovated.